This issue of "Mini-School News" deals with the first 12 steps involved in starting a minischool. The first and most critical step is to clearly identify the problems that make reform seem necessary. The question then becomes one of identifying the possible solutions and sources of information about them. Then the data must be evaluated from a number of vantage points. The process of reaching a decision to adopt a reform or series of reforms for a school is the fourth step. Most schools will have to turn to higher authority for permission to proceed and, where necessary, additional resources necessary to support the planning process. The process of planning for school reform requires machinery--an organization to which is delegated the responsibility for developing the plan and that has formal status. It is the job of the planning group to look at the overall objective in terms of the problems identified in Step 1. It then is necessary to translate the results into a written document. Adoption of the completed plan, the ninth step, is a three stage process: acceptance by the school community, revision where necessary to insure community acceptance, and only then submission to and approval by higher authorities. The tenth step is implementing the plan. Change must be institutionalized and an evaluation process organized. (Author/JM)